Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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low white blood cells

deleted_user
deleted_user
My white blood count has been a little low thru treatment, but now I got a dental absess and my count has dropped dramatically. I had to go get that nelesta shot today. Anyone else have this problem or has low white cells due to treatment and is this common?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hey there
Neutropenia (low white blood cell count) is common and occurs is >5% of people taking the peginterferon and ribavirin treatment. Keep us posted on how you do on the neulasta.
Dr O.
deleted_user
deleted_user
so far the shot isn\'t that bad, feels like my peg shots. but i have more blood work next week to see if it helped. I\'ll keep you posted
deleted_user
deleted_user
hello,
my WBC's are 2.0 It is common from what my doctor has told me. What was your white blood count when you started on nelesta.
I'm not on any meds yet.
izzy
deleted_user
deleted_user
My white blood counts during treatment were not low enough to change my doses of the meds. I did experience a low platelet count at the end that my doctor handled by taking me off the ribavarin for a week. The platelet count went back up and there were no further problems.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes, I see low red and white blood counts in many on treatment. That was a big reason why I was pulled off treatment in the past. But none of those doctors did anything to treat side effects. It wasn't til I found a hep support group online, that I learned there are drugs to build both red and white blood cells up again. I am now taking a neupogen shot twice a week to bring my white count up. They watched my ANC more, in the decision to start on the neupogen. The lowest my WBC has been is 1. My ANC got down to 500 before starting me on neupogen. I also have some trouble with low red blood cells. I am taking one shot a week of procrit, dosage 60,000. I am responding to the treatment for the first time. I love it!
deleted_user
deleted_user
DJ turtle, that is excatly what happened to me about the low bloodwork also got put on Procrit then had 3 different transfusions 6 units total only after 14 wks of tx so they took me off.. I'm glad you are getting somewhere with it but I know what a hard time you have had... Hugs and Prayers, BlueEyed
deleted_user
deleted_user
Well crap I guess I should have looked at the post date on this but it may help someone else that is having the same problem....
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was put on Neupogen twice a week my third week of treatment, my count dropped very fast, now it is steady at 1000. The Neupogen gives me no side effects, I just had to get use to doing two extra shots a week!
deleted_user
deleted_user
These old threads are fabtastic, I'm having low reds and whites after 14 weeks tx. Doc has mentionned the possibility of other meds to boost the cells.